Her home was found to be packed with expensive designer gear with piles of clothes, handbags, shoes and watches. She also treated herself to a facelift at the private Spire hospital in Edinburgh’s Murrayfield.

Detectives discovered more than £200,000 in cash when they raided the madam as well as another £500,000 in a bank account she shared with Munro, also 61.

The High Court in Edinburgh was told Paterson ran her operation for 10 years from a base in the New Town with Munro.

They were found guilty of living off immoral earnings and proceeds of crime charges.

Former bank manager, Goalen, 59, admitted living off the earnings of prostitution and provided police with evidence used to prosecute Paterson and Munro.

The High Court in Edinburgh was told Paterson ran her operation for 10 years from a base in the New Town with Munro.

Munro’s defence solicitor advocate Vincent Belmonte said that his client was a former musician, engineer and restaurant owner who had served in the Territorial Army.

Mr Belmonte added: “He has served his country through his time in the army reserves. He is a piper and he has used his skills to teach young people about piping. He has led a socially pro-active life and his activities have been of benefit to the community.”

But temporary judge Michael O’Grady QC said he had no other option and condemned the pair for their exploitation of women.

He said: “It has been an operation remarkable in its scope, sophistication and organisation – not to mention its profitablity. It has also been remarkable for its cynicism. You constructed and maintained an elaborate – albeit – paperthin facade, portraying yourselves as an innocent escort agency, if that is not a contradiction in terms. You persisted in this throughout the investigation and trial until the jury unanimously found it to be the palpable nonsense which it was all along.”

The pair advertised their various businesses, Edinburgh Escorts, Glasgow Escorts, Aberdeen Escorts, AA Bella, M&M, Berkeley Ladies and Scottish Playmates, in newspapers and also set up websites.

Vice girls from across the country paid regular deposits into their bank accounts.

During the trial it emerged the couple had a deal to supply sex workers to guests staying at Edinburgh’s famous George Hotel.

After sentence, the Crown Office confirmed confiscation proceedings had been started against Paterson and Munro who together laundered more than £1.2million.

Lindsey Miller, head of the Crown’s serious organised crime division, said: “This conviction demonstrates our commitment to bringing to justice those who exploit others and seek to benefit from crime.”